Creating library of 2D independant details

[Anonymous]

I am trying to compile a library that contains our standard 2D independant details. Ideally, this would be a library that resides on the server so there is only one place to update and everyone can access this.

Any suggestions on how to go about this?

[Anonymous]

One way of creating a usable library of 2d drawings is to compile them into one archicad file as a set of details.

If for example they were imported from another cad system like Autocad, once imported, I cut and paste into indivual detail sheets. Before doing this I tidy up the layer structure in case you want to import these details into your main building model.

You can directly refer to the details from the 2d library drawing or import them in. Using a centralised 2d library file has the advantage of being able to update the detail for every project using the detail (and arguably this is a disadvantage).

I prefer to import the details into the main building model so I can adjust the detail for each project.

[LiHigh]

If you know a bit of GDL, you could compile the details in GDL objects using "FRAGMENT2". However, you could only have 16 max in 1 object.

[Anonymous]

LiHigh wrote:
If you know a bit of GDL, you could compile the details in GDL objects using "FRAGMENT2". However, you could only have 16 max in 1 object.

Keep in mind this method limits your ability to change the details except to a preset arrangment.

Individual detail sheets are better if you need to adjust each detail for each job. I never seem to be able to just reuse a detail without a least some minor adjustment.

[Djordje]

Fully agreed with Maurice.

Use the Details, save them in a file. Make a copy of the file in the project folder, with all the necessary adjustments, link directly to the detail file from PlotMaker/Layouts.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your help. I will do as you suggest and create a separate project. I had hoped to create something closer to how the library files work, as on the MACs we don't seem to be able to have two sessions of AC10 running at the same time - and it gets a bit tedious opening and closing projects to copy in details.

[David Maudlin]

Karin:

In ArchiCAD 10, in the Open File dialog box, in the lower left hand corner, there is a check box for "Launch a new instance of ArchiCAD" if you want more than one file open simultaneously.

HTH

David

[Anonymous]

Boy do I feel stupid! That is going to be a big time saver.

Thanks.

[Link]

I think the method that Richard described here is the best solution at this point in time, as it allows for a preview. Until a proper detail manager is introduced, I think this method is hard to beat.

Cheers,
Link.

[Richard Morrison]

A few other things I can add to this:

1) Keeping details in a separate PLN file, organized by STORIES, makes it easy to use the MSA system fully.

2) I've found it best to keep my specifications in separate, independent detail windows. Each specification section gets its own window. Not only does it make it easy to drag & drop only the sections you need, but it will then also "block out" the grids in Layouts if you're using them. (Regular text directly on the Layout pages doesn't do this, of course.)